Lucretia C. Clemons

Litigation, Labor and Employment

Lucretia C. Clemons is a partner in the Litigation Department, a member of the Labor and Employment Group, and a member of the Corporate Diversity Practice. Ms. Clemons' practice includes a broad range of labor and employment litigation and counseling, including discrimination, harassment, and other civil rights litigation; at-will litigation; restrictive covenant claims; trade secret claims; ERISA litigation; and the preparation of affirmative-action programs.

Ms. Clemons' practice is focused in the area of corporate diversity management. She is an experienced diversity trainer with a master's degree in diversity management from New York University. Drawing on her experience in human resources and diversity training, Ms. Clemons has counseled local, national, and international clients on a full range of diversity matters and antidiscrimination issues. She is a frequent lecturer, panelist, and nationally published author on diversity and cultural issues.

Ms. Clemons founded Ballard Spahr's Diverse Non-Partner Lawyers Group, composed of lawyers of color as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender lawyers. Her leadership was instrumental in establishing the group's Minority 1L Interviewing and Resume Writing Workshop, now held annually in several of the firm's offices.

Before entering law school, Ms. Clemons managed and operated a multimillion-dollar hotel in New York City, where she was primarily responsible for the development and administration of the diversity management program, employee handbook, and performance appraisal system. She also exclusively conducted employee recruitment, selection, orientation, and training.

Judicial Clerkships

Hon. Clifford Scott Green, U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Professional Activities

American Bar Association

Pennsylvania Bar Association
Past member, House of Delegates

Philadelphia Bar Association
Past Co-Chair, Labor and Employment Law Section

National Bar Association
Member, National Nominating Committee; past President, Women Lawyers Division, Philadelphia Chapter

Forum of Executive Women 

Temple University, Fox School of Business and Management, Department of Legal and Real Estate Studies, former graduate assistant

Recognition & Accomplishments

Recipient, 2011 Multicultural Leadership Award, National Diversity Council

Named to Philadelphia Business Journal's 2011 "40 Under 40" list, recognizing professional excellence and outstanding community involvement

Recipient, The Legal Intelligencer and Pennsylvania Law Weekly's 2006 "Lawyers on the Fast Track" and "Woman on the Verge" awards

Selected to the Class of 2007's "Stakeholder 100," which works with industry leaders to identify top-performing associates of color

Received commendations from the Temple University Law School faculty, who twice recognized her efforts for outstanding service to the law school and local community

Speaking Engagements

"In-House Counsel Session: Nuts & Bolts of Employment Discrimination Litigation for In-House Counsel," American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, New Partner and In-House Counsel Conference, Philadelphia, March 2, 2012

"Brother to Brother/Sister to Sister" Workshop, Mid-Atlantic Black Law Students Association (MABLSA), 44th Annual Regional Convention, Philadelphia, February 3, 2012

"Employment Discrimination Litigation for the New Employment Lawyer," Pennsylvania Bar Institute's 17th Annual Employment Law Institute, March 2011

"Religion in the Workplace," Society for Human Resource Management Diversity & Inclusion Conference & Exposition, October 11, 2010

"Wage and Hour Updates and Guidance on Audits/Compliance," National Employment Law Council 15th Annual Conference, April 30, 2010

"Social Networking, Blogging, and Other Internet Activity," Ballard Spahr CLE for Free program, January 21, 2010

Panelist, "Let's Not Wait for the World to Change – What Women of Color Can Do To Combat Barriers to Advancement," Philadelphia Diversity Law Group Event, November 3, 2009

"The Obama Promise and the Workplace: Spotlight on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity," SHRM Diversity Conference & Exposition, Society for Human Resource Management, San Diego, October 19-21, 2009

"Advising Corporate Counsel on Diversity Initiatives," National Employment Law Council 14th Annual Conference, April 29, 2009

Board Memberships

Art Sanctuary

Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law (J.D. 1999, cum laude)
Staff Member, Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review

New York University (B.S. 1993, and M.A. 1996)

New Jersey

Pennsylvania